2024VSTE Annual Conference

Join us for an interactive session exploring the integration of drones in middle school STEM education. This hands-on workshop will guide educators through the basics of drone technology and its applications in the classroom. Participants will learn how to safely operate drones, integrate drone technology into existing curriculum, and engage students in exciting STEM projects. Practical examples and demonstrations will showcase how drones can enhance learning in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Need a program for getting teachers willing to try new things in tech? Let the Mania Guide you as we pin down lazy teaching for the 3 count. Send teachers on a choose-your-own-adventure through the wild world of Pro Wrestling as they complete tech tasks for points. The winners take home the coveted Championship Belt.

The 2024-2025 school year will be our school's first experiment as a fully and intentionally phone-free high school. Additionally, our middle school is majorly overhauling its policies and procedures around personal devices. Come see how we spent the spring of 2024 developing our plan, getting buy-in from (i.e. convincing) students and parents and see how it's going so far. We'll open up about our extensive process, the reasoning behind the school's decision, and how we are currently ensuring both fidelity and student support through the process. We'll also discuss from an educational technology perspective what can happen curricularly when students suddenly don't have their personal devices on-hand and how we can support teachers around that.

How do you create learning experiences that empower learners? Do you plan experiences with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in mind? In this session, you will learn how by using principles of UDL with technology tools, including AI, you can give your students opportunities to share their voices in interactive ways.

Giving the students a chance to be fully creative is engaging and powerful. In this session you will learn a little about creating in TinkerCad and integrating that into Book Creator. You will create a super hero using your 3d Geometric Shapes and then creating a story about your super hero in Book Creator.

In today's educational landscape, the fusion of technology with project-based learning (PBL) stands as a transformative force ? putting the onus back on students to chart the course of their own education. In this presentation we will offer a comprehensive deep dive into these dynamic waters, highlighting the relationship between technology integration and PBL methodologies. Throughout our session, participants will explore practical strategies, real-word examples, and innovative tools tailored to educators seeking to enrich their PBL practices. From selecting the right digital resources to fostering collaborative learning communities, participants gain actionable insights into creating immersive, technology-enhanced learning experiences. Before casting off on their own adventures, participants will be provided a library of guides for various tools to support them in implementing PBL in their classrooms. Join us as we embark on a voyage to unleash the full potential of our students, equipping them with the critical skills and mindset needed to thrive in the digital age and beyond.

Ahoy, educators! Feeling like you're steering the ship alone? In this session, we'll guide you on how to transform your school from a staff-led crew to a collaborative voyage where student voices take center stage. We will share different ways that secondary schools can encourage a culture of student voice, including student-run news shows, student activities, meaningful social media involvement, interactive advisory lessons, and more. Within the classroom, we discover how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) creates a framework for amplifying diverse student voices. If you?ve seen Below Deck, you know that the best Stew-dents develop best under strong but compassionate leadership. Let?s find a way to let all students be their own Chief Stew.

This session will highlight the potential benefits of using AI to assist teachers with giving feedback on student writings. Groups will identify potential barriers and collaborate to design solutions.

Let?s set sail on an educational adventure. Imagine your slide decks transformed from anchors to guiding stars! Partner with our seasoned cruise directors to navigate an elementary academic journey. We?ll explore hands-on activities with traditional manipulatives and today?s best technology enhancements! Whether you?re on a row boat or a yacht, we?ll harness student engagement and sail toward educational horizons. Bon voyage!

Set sail for a transformative coaching experience! In this session, we'll explore the exciting potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as your thought partner in the realm of educational coaching. We'll dive deep into practical applications of AI that can personalize coaching journeys, streamline workflows, and empower educators to reach their full potential. This interactive session will equip technology coaches and administrators with the knowledge and tools needed to leverage AI effectively in their coaching practices.

Join us for a Canvas Chopped Challenge! Set sail on a journey combining creativity, collaboration, and Canvas expertise. Just like chefs using surprise ingredients, participants will navigate through Canvas features to craft innovative learning modules- ready for your students to engage in immediately! But here?s the twist: your creations must anchor quality tier 1 instructional strategies, emphasizing student engagement, feedback, and personalization. Don?t miss the boat?come ready to dive into the deep end of module design!

This will be a deep dive into Computer Science integration for any content with online tools for everyone. Come with ideas for a section of your content that you would like to develop further using CS strand and computational thinking processes. Have one integrated lesson ready to go before you go back to school.

In this dynamic session, we will explore the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and how they can be harnessed to enhance teaching and learning in K-12 education. Participants will be introduced to five cutting-edge AI tools and innovative strategies to integrate these technologies into their educational practices. This session aims to inspire educators and administrators to embrace AI as a catalyst for innovation, fostering a more engaging and effective learning environment.